EP3325184B1 - Device for grabbing a bottle with swing stopper in a cleaning machine and cleaning machine for cleaning a bottle with swing stopper - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for receiving at least one U-bolt bottle in a container cleaning machine, preferably a cleaning machine for cleaning at least one U-bolt bottle in a beverage filling plant.

State of the art

Devices for cleaning containers, and particularly for cleaning reusable swing top bottles in beverage bottling plants, are well known. In this case, the respective clip closure bottles to be cleaned pass through a different treatment stations in a container cleaning machine, in which they are emptied, sprayed, dipped, treated with cleaning agents such as, for example, a cleaning solution and / or rinsed with clear water. Different methods and cleaning sequences for cleaning swing-top bottles are known.

In order to guide the respectively to be cleaned container and in particular the swing top bottles on their way through the container cleaning machine, it is known to insert the containers each in so-called container cells within which they are then transported through the container cleaning machine. The container cells usually have a cylindrical base body and a head region provided with passages. In a container cleaning machine, a plurality of container cells are usually arranged next to one another on bars which form container cell rows aligned perpendicularly to the transport direction. Typically, a plurality of such rows are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, for example, mounted on transport chains or conveyor belts to allow a quasi-continuous transporting a container stream to be treated accordingly. Also cyclically transporting Container cleaning machines are known. The container cells arranged one behind the other in the transport direction form corresponding container cell gaps.

From the prior art, various container cells for receiving swing top bottles are known. So show the DE 188581 U , the DE 660 515 A as well as the DE 696 850 A Container cells, which deal specifically with the inclusion of swing top bottles. A disadvantage in the known state of the art is that the closure pins of the strap closures can insert when inserting the swing top bottles or during transport through the cleaning machine in the container cells in front of the mouth region of the swing top bottles, so that prevents cleaning fluid into the interior the appropriate swing top bottles reaches and / or that a cleaning jet can penetrate into the swing top bottles. Consequently, it may happen that uncleaned or insufficiently cleaned swing top bottles leave the cleaning machine, or that detergent residues are retained by the strap closure in the swing top bottles.

The DE 20 2006 011 038 U1 shows a bottle cell, which has an enlarged inner diameter in its central region, so that when inserting a flip top bottle in the bottle cell, the bottle mouth can overtake the swing lock in the middle region and the flip-top closure in the inserted state of the flip top bottle a position in Einschieberichtung behind the bottle mouth occupies. Although this solution can reduce the risk of creating the swing-lock pin around the mouth region of the swing-top bottle. In case of unfavorable position of the swing top bottle during insertion as well as while moving the equipped with the swing top bottle bottle cell by the cleaning machine, however, it may still happen that the swing lock pushes before the mouth area. Thus, a safe cleaning of the swing top bottles is still not guaranteed.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for accommodating swing top bottles in a cleaning machine, which allows a more reliable cleaning of the swing top bottles.

This object is achieved by a device for receiving swing top bottles in a cleaning machine having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, there is proposed an apparatus for accommodating swing top bottles in a beverage filling machine cleaning machine comprising a container cell for receiving a flip top bottle to be cleaned during cleaning. According to the invention, the container cell has a magnet arrangement for holding the strap of the flip top bottle.

The fact that the magnet assembly holds the bracket of the swing-top bottle, can be achieved that the closure pin both during the loading of the container cells, as well as during movement of the container cell by the cleaning machine does not lie in front of the mouth area, even if the swing-top bottle undergoes multiple changes of position when passing through the cleaning machine and the cleaning sequences. The bracket is held in a relatively fixed position accordingly. The holding of the strap is provided by a magnetic attraction, which exerts the magnet assembly on the existing of a metal or a metal alloy bracket. Already during insertion of the U-bolt bottle into the container cell, the bracket can be pulled by the magnetic attraction in the direction of the magnet assembly, which seen from a point of attachment of the bracket to the bottle neck of the U-bolt bottle distal end of the bracket facing in the direction of the magnet assembly. Since the locking pin is arranged at the distal end of the bracket, the tightening or holding of the bracket by the magnet arrangement can prevent the locking pin from laying against the mouth region of the U-bolt bottle.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the magnet arrangement is arranged laterally on a head region of the container cell.

Because the magnet arrangement is arranged on a head region of the container cell, it can be ensured, in particular in the head region, that the bracket is held away from the mouth region of the flip top bottle when the flip top bottle is pushed into the container cell. Thus, a safe and correct centering of the bottle neck be provided in a centering region of the container cell up to a stop in the head region of the container cell.

Furthermore, can be ensured by the positioning of the magnet assembly to the head portion of the container cell that the magnetic attraction generated by the magnet assembly and acting on the bracket continues to act after insertion of the flip top bottle in full extent on the bracket.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnet arrangement is integrated in the container cell.

As a result, the magnet arrangement can be provided sealed to the outer environment of the container cell when the material of the container cell completely surrounds the magnet arrangement. Thus, it can be prevented that gases or liquids from the external environment come into contact with the magnet arrangement and attack, damage and / or decompose it. Thus, during the production of the container cell during a casting or injection process, the magnet arrangement can be partially or completely encapsulated or overmolded. When the container cell is adhesively bonded or welded, the magnet arrangement can also be set or plugged with its head region into a cavity provided for this purpose, which is sealed during the bonding or welding process. Thus, a longevity of the magnet assembly and thus a durable functionality of the container cell can be ensured.

The fact that the magnet assembly is integrated into the container cell and thus sealed against the environment, the device can also be designed to be suitable for use in hygienic applications. Thus, to clean the device aggressive cleaning media, such as alkalis, acids, chlorine-containing liquids or gases, can be applied without damaging the magnet assembly, since it does not come into contact with the respective cleaning medium. Further, by integrating the magnet assembly into the container cell, the shape of the container cell may be designed such that it does not have any gaps or sharp corners, thereby enabling optimal cleaning of the device so that microorganisms can not become lodged.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the magnet arrangement has a permanent magnet.

Characterized in that the magnet arrangement comprises a permanent magnet, this can be arranged in a simple manner to the container cell and the structure can be carried out technically simple and relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, this ensures that the magnetic attraction force acting on the yoke of the flip-top bottle can be permanently provided. This ensures a long-lasting and safe operation of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnet arrangement has an at least temporarily magnetizable metallic, preferably ferritic, material, preferably soft iron.

This makes it possible to magnetize the magnet assembly at least temporarily. Due to the magnetization of the magnet arrangement, this generates a magnetic field, which then causes the magnetic attraction force on the yoke of the flip-top bottle. Thus, the magnetic attraction force acting on the yoke of the flip top bottle can be provided at least temporarily. Consequently, the magnetic attraction force may be activated in a certain area of the cleaning machine and deactivated in another area of the cleaning machine. Thus, the magnetic attraction for the loading of the container cell can be activated and maintained during transporting the swing-top bottle and be deactivated for emptying the container cells. In this way, a safe and correct picking up, transporting and dispensing the U-bolt bottle can be provided by the container cell, wherein it is ensured that the U-lock of the U-lock bottle is in a fixed position until the U-lock bottle is dispensed. Any possible iron-containing or ferromagnetic dirt attached to the magnet arrangement can be removed by additionally spraying the container cell.

The magnetization of the magnet arrangement preferably takes place by induction. Upon application of an external magnetic field to the magnet assembly, the magnet assembly is magnetized according to the direction of the field lines of the external magnetic field and henceforth has its own magnetic field. By the magnet assembly now own magnetic field, the magnet assembly can then provide a magnetic attraction to the bracket of the swing top bottle. In this case, the magnet arrangement is preferably magnetized before the clip closure bottle is introduced into the container cell, so that the external magnetic field produces no magnetization of the bracket, which could interfere with the magnetic attraction.

Upon provision of a suitable material of the magnet assembly, the magnetization may decay by itself, preferably after it has ensured proper insertion of the flip top bottle into the container cell.

Furthermore, it is possible to demagnetize the magnet assembly when the magnetic attraction force is no longer needed, preferably by applying a strong external alternating field which acts on the magnet assembly. It can thus be ensured that the magnetic field of the magnet arrangement then does not produce any disruptive effect on components of the cleaning machine having the device or that a covering, which consists at least partly of magnetized foreign particles, permanently settles on the magnet arrangement. By means of a magnetic pole reversal, magnetic particles adhering to the magnet arrangement can also be actively repelled.

Alternatively, it is also possible to magnetize the magnet assembly during or after the loading of the container cell with the U-bolt bottle.

Also, the magnet assembly may be demagnetized prior to or during emptying of the container cell. In this way, the flip-top bottle can be removed from the container cell, without further acting on the bracket disturbing the removal of the flip-top bottle or the emptying of the container cell magnetic restraining force.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the magnet arrangement is provided as an electromagnet, preferably as a coil with a core.

As a result, when the installation space of the magnet arrangement is small, a strong magnetic field can be activated and deactivated in a defined manner. Thus, it can be ensured that the magnetic attraction force acts on the strap of the swing top bottle only when it is needed to keep the swing top from the mouth area of the swing top bottle. After deactivating the solenoid, the flip-top bottle can be removed from the container cell without further interfering with the magnetic retention force on the strap. The contacting of the magnet assembly to the supply of electricity can in this case via electrical contacts, preferably sliding contacts, are provided, which are contacted, for example, for all held on a beam container cells on the leadership of the bar.

Furthermore, the power supply to the magnet arrangement can be provided by a storage medium provided by the device, preferably a battery. In this case, a switch is preferably provided with which the circuit between the magnet assembly and the storage medium can be closed and opened, so that the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet can be switched on and off. In this case, the complete circuit and the storage medium are preferably arranged sealed against the environment on the device.

Furthermore, any accumulated in the region of the electromagnet, partially magnetized deposit of foreign particles, which may have accumulated during the operation of the cleaning machine, will repel by reversing the electromagnet. By reversing the polarity of the electromagnet, a repulsive magnetic force is exerted on the pad, whereby it can be removed safely, without subjecting the container cell to a special cleaning.

In a preferred embodiment, more than one magnet arrangement is provided, wherein the magnet arrangements are preferably distributed regularly radially around a longitudinal axis of the container cell.

Due to the uniform distribution of the plurality of magnet arrangements can be ensured that the bracket of the swing top bottle is attracted regardless of their orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container cell in the direction of the container cell inner wall.

In an alternative embodiment, the magnet arrangement is annular, preferably concentric with a longitudinal axis of the container cell.

As a result, regardless of the orientation of the flip top bottle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container cell, a magnetic force of attraction can be provided on the yoke of the flip top bottle radially outward in the direction of the container cell inner wall.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the magnetic attraction force acting on the bracket by the magnet arrangement may be provided so much that when the container cell is in a horizontal position, with the head portion against gravity, the flip-top bottle is moved against the magnetically attracted bracket by the magnet assembly a falling out or slides is secured. In other words, the magnetic attraction force acting on the yoke by the magnet arrangement is greater than the weight force of the flip top bottle. Preferably, the magnetic attraction force is greater by a certain amount, as the weight, since thus holding the flip top bottle even when during the passage of the cleaning machine any acting on the swing top bottle dynamic forces can be kept safe.

Furthermore, this can reduce the movement of the U-bolt bottle in the container cell, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the bottle. When the bottle is sprayed on, it is thus also possible to achieve a positional fixation which counteracts the spray thrust and thus allows a predetermined orientation of the bottle to be achieved.

In an alternative embodiment, the magnet assembly may also include a magnetizable material and an electromagnet. As a result, the magnet arrangement can be magnetized either by the external magnetic field or by activating the electromagnet. Furthermore, by reversing the polarity of the electromagnet, it is also possible to repel any at least partially magnetic or magnetized coating applied to the magnet arrangement.

The problem to be solved is also achieved with a cleaning machine having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, a cleaning machine for cleaning swing top bottles in a beverage filling plant is proposed, wherein according to the invention a plurality of each magnet arrangement and a container cell having devices according to one of the embodiments described above for receiving a to be cleaned swing top bottle during cleaning provided.

Due to the fact that several devices each having a magnet arrangement and a container cell are provided on the cleaning machine, it can be achieved that the Sealing pin both during the loading of the container cells, as well as during the movement of the container cell by the cleaning machine does not put before the mouth area, even if the U-bolt bottle undergoes multiple changes of position, since the magnet assembly holds the bracket of the swing top bottle. The bracket is held in a relatively fixed position accordingly. The holding of the strap is provided by a magnetic attraction, which exerts the magnet assembly on the existing of a metal or a metal alloy bracket. Already during insertion of the U-bolt bottle into the container cell, the bracket can be pulled by the magnetic attraction in the direction of the magnet assembly, which seen from a point of attachment of the bracket to the bottle neck of the U-bolt bottle distal end of the bracket facing in the direction of the magnet assembly. Since the locking pin is arranged at the distal end of the bracket, the tightening or holding of the bracket by the magnet arrangement can prevent the locking pin from laying against the mouth region of the U-bolt bottle. Thus, a reliable cleaning of the swing top bottles in the cleaning machine can be provided.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, a magnetizing device is provided for magnetizing the magnet assembly.

By providing the magnetizing device, the magnetization of the magnet arrangement can be generated and thus the magnetic attraction of the magnet arrangement can be switched on at a certain point. Preferably, the magnetizing device is seen in a conveying direction of the cleaning machine upstream of the point at which the container cells are equipped with the clip closure bottles to be cleaned arranged. Thus, it can be ensured that the magnetic attraction of the magnet assembly is correctly provided on the bracket of the swing-top bottle.

Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange the magnetizing device downstream of the conveyor or at the point at which the container cells are to be equipped with the clip closure bottles to be cleaned.

In a preferred embodiment, a demagnetizing device is provided for demagnetizing the magnet arrangement.

As a result, the magnet assembly can be demagnetized when the magnetic attraction is no longer needed. Then, the flip-top bottle can be removed from the container cell without further interfering with the magnetic retention force on the bracket. Furthermore, due to the demagnetization, it can be ensured that the magnetic field of the magnet arrangement then does not produce any disturbing effect on components of the cleaning machine having the device. The demagnetization may in this case preferably be provided by the application of a strong external alternating field which acts on the magnet arrangement.

In this case, it is possible to arrange the demagnetizing device upstream, downstream or at the point at which the container cells are removed from the cleaned clip closure bottles.

In a preferred development, the magnetizing device and / or the demagnetizing device are designed such that they at least temporarily generate a magnetic field.

As a result, the magnet arrangement of the container cell can be magnetized or demagnetized by passing through the location of the magnetizing device or the location of the demagnetizing device by means of induction. Preferably, the magnetizing device and / or the demagnetizing device can be activated and deactivated.

In an alternative embodiment, the magnetizing device is provided in the form of an electrical sliding contact arrangement for contacting the electromagnet.

In this case, the magnet arrangement can have contacts, preferably sliding contacts, particularly preferably carbon brushes, for contacting the contact arrangement. By contacting the contact assembly, the electromagnet can be energized to produce a magnetic field which causes the magnetic attraction force on the yoke of the flip-top bottle. Preferably, the contacts for all held on a beam container cells are contacted to the leadership of the bar.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

schematisch eine Schnittansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Aufnehmen von Bügelverschluss-Flaschen mit einer Bügelverschluss-Flasche in einem Zustand während des Einschiebens; und

Figur 2

schematisch eine Schnittansicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1, wobei die Bügelverschluss-Flasche komplett in die Vorrichtung eingeschoben ist.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

FIG. 1

schematically a sectional view of an apparatus for receiving swing top bottles with a swing top bottle in a state during insertion; and

FIG. 2

schematically a sectional view of the device FIG. 1 , wherein the swing-top bottle is completely inserted into the device.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements are denoted by identical reference numerals. To avoid redundancy, the repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of an apparatus 1 for receiving swing-top bottles 5 with a strap closure 3 provided with a swing-top bottle 5 in a state during insertion. The swing top closure bottle 5 has been inserted through an open bottom portion 23 into a substantially tubular container cell 2 and is located at some distance from a stop 22 of the container cell 2, to which the flip top bottle 5 is to be inserted. In order to avoid a direct contact of the flip-top bottle 5 with the container cell inner wall 25, the container cell webs 24, which are directed from the container cell inner wall 25 radially inwardly. The webs 24 extend as far as a head region 20 of the container cell 2, where they form a centering region 21 and the stop 22 radially inward. The centering region 21 is provided for centrally supplying the bottle head 50 of the swing-top closure bottle 5 to the stop 22 so that the mouth region 52 is aligned concentrically with a nozzle of a cleaning machine having the device 1.

The device 1 further comprises a magnet arrangement 4, which exerts a magnetic attraction force on a metallic bracket 32 of the swing-top closure bottle 5. The magnet arrangement 4 is arranged on the head region 20 of the container cell 2. By the magnetic attraction of the bracket 32 of the swing-top bottle 5 is pulled in the direction of the magnet assembly 4, wherein the seen from an attachment point 34 of the bracket 32 on the bottle head 20 of the swing top bottle 5 remote end of the bracket 32 in the direction of the magnet assembly 4 points. Since a locking pin 30 of the clip closure 3 is arranged at the distal end of the bracket 32, the tightening of the bracket 32 by the magnet arrangement 4 prevents the locking pin 30 from coming to rest against the mouth region 52 of the swing-lock bottle 5.

The magnet assembly 4 is formed here as a permanent magnet. Alternatively, the magnet arrangement 4 can also have a different arrangement or other materials, such as an electromagnet or an at least temporarily magnetizable material, preferably soft iron.

The container cell 2 was produced in an injection molding process from a thermoplastic material. The magnet assembly 4 is completely surrounded by the material of the container cell 2. Alternatively, other manufacturing methods and other materials, preferably alkali-resistant and / or chemical-resistant materials, preferably thermoplastics or metals or metal alloys may be used. Furthermore, the container cell 2 may also be formed of a plurality of parts and a plurality of materials.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the device 1 from FIG. 1 , wherein the flip-top bottle 5 is completely inserted into the device 1. The mouth region 52 of the flip-top bottle 5 is in this case with the stopper 22 in contact. For radial alignment of the mouth region 52 of the centering 21 centers the bottle neck 50 of the swing top bottle 5. Due to the magnetic attraction of the magnet assembly 4 on the bracket 32 of the swing top bottle 5, the locking pin 30 of the swing top closure 3 is in a fixed position. Here, the remote from the attachment point 34 end of the bracket 32 is in the shortest possible distance to the magnet assembly 4, whereby the position of the locking pin 30 is defined.

After proper insertion of the flip-top bottle 5 into the container cell 2, the swing-top bottle 5 is secured along a longitudinal axis 26 of the container cell 2 against slipping out in the direction of the bottom portion 23 of the container cell 2 by guide plates are arranged in corresponding areas of a plant on which the Bottles 5 are guided on their underside. Alternatively, the magnetic attraction force acting on the yoke 32 by the magnet arrangement 4 can be provided so strongly that, when the container cell 2 is positioned horizontally, with the head region against gravity, the flip-top bottle 5 passes through the magnet arrangement 4 via the magnetically tightened yoke 32 is secured against falling out or slipping. In other words, the force acting by the magnet assembly 4 on the bracket 32 magnetic attraction is then greater than the weight of the swing top bottle 5. Preferably, the magnetic attraction is in this case by a certain amount greater than the weight, thus holding the clip closure Bottle 5 can be kept safe even when running through the cleaning machine any acting on the swing lock bottle 5 dynamic forces.

Bezuaszeichenliste

1

device

2

container cell

20

bottle head

21

centering

22

attack

23

floor area

24

strut

25

Vessel cells inside wall

26

longitudinal axis

3

swing top

30

Verschlusszapfen

32

hanger

34

attachment point

4

magnetization element

5

Swing top bottle

50

bottleneck

52

mouth area

Claims (13)

1. Device (1) for receiving bottles (5) with swing stoppers in a cleaning machine of a beverage filling system, comprising a container cell (2) for receiving a bottle (5) with swing stopper to be cleaned during the cleaning,
   characterised in that
   the container cell (2) has a magnet assembly (4) for holding the swing (32) of the bottle (5) with swing stopper.
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the magnet assembly (4) is disposed laterally at a head region (20) of the container cell (2).
3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the magnet assembly (4) is integrated into the container cell (2).
4. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the magnet assembly (4) has a permanent magnet.
5. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the magnet assembly (4) has an at least temporarily magnetisable metallic, preferably ferritic, material, preferably soft iron.
6. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, 5 or 6, characterised in that the magnet assembly (4) is provided as an electromagnet, preferably as a coil with a core.
7. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that more than one magnet assembly (4) is provided, preferably disposed in a regularly distributed manner radially about a longitudinal axis (26) of the container cell (2).
8. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the magnet assembly (4) is provided ring-shaped, preferably concentric to a longitudinal axis (26) of the container cell.
9. Cleaning machine for cleaning bottles (5) with swing stoppers in a beverage filling system,
   characterised in that
   several devices (1) according to claims 1 to 8 are provided having respectively a magnet assembly (4) and a container cell (2) for receiving during the cleaning a bottle (5) with swing stopper to be cleaned.
10. Cleaning machine according to claim 9, characterised in that a magnetising device is provided for magnetising the magnet assembly (4).
11. Cleaning machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that a demagnetising device is provided for demagnetising the magnet assembly (4).
12. Cleaning machine according to claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the magnetising device and/or the demagnetising device are designed such that they generate a magnetic field at least temporarily.
13. Cleaning machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the magnetising device is provided in the form of an electrical sliding contact arrangement for contacting the electromagnet.

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